Lions Park being redesigned by the kids who play there, volunteers needed

What is now only a picnic table
and swings on the corner of 300 East and Morris Avenue will soon be the newest
park in South Salt Lake specially designed by the children who play there. Due
to the non-profit organization KaBOOM, JetBlue airlines and community support,
Lions Park will be getting a much-needed makeover.

South Salt Lake Urban Design
Director Sharen Hauri applied for the grant with KaBOOM and received that as
well as a big sponsorship from JetBlue. With the additional help of volunteers
and other donations, the Lions Park playground will be constructed in one
official build day, August 9. South Salt Lake resident Sue Boerke is one of the
community volunteers and explained JetBlue will provide half the volunteers if
the city provides the other half, they need over 100 people for that day. “It’s
just so exciting” Boerke said.

Coming up with the design was a
community event at the Columbus Center on June 13. First the kids came in and
described their dream playground and then the parents had a session to help
hone their ideas, Boerke said.

The closest park for many
families in the area is Fitts Park. “That’s two miles for some people” Boerke
said. And with little kids of her own, Boerke identifies with such a trek.

She has two young children and
is about a mile and a half from Fitts park. “I am glad it’s only a block and a
half away from my house,” she said about the new Lions Park. But for the
project to be a success they desperately need volunteers.

For anyone interested in
volunteering for the August 9 build day, contact Kaylee Milliner at 385-258-6360
or kmilliner@southsaltlakecity.com.